Cleanest lorries to pay less to use UK roads 2019

From February next year, lorries meeting the latest Euro VI emissions standards will be eligible for a 10 per cent reduction in the cost of the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) levy.

The cleanest lorries generate 80 per cent less nitrogen emissions than dirtier ones. Those lorries that do not meet the latest emissions standards will be expected to pay 20 per cent more.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “This government is committed to improving the air we breathe and delivering a green revolution in transport.

“Heavy goods vehicles account for around a fifth of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from road transport, but they only travel five per vent of the total miles.

“That’s why we’re changing the HGV levy to encourage firms to phase out the most polluting lorries and bring in the cleanest ones.”

The HGV Road User Levy, introduced in 2014, was brought in as a first step to ensure lorries pay a charge to cover the greater wear and tear they cause to road surfaces than other vehicles. This change to the levy will further incentivise the industry to choose less polluting lorries.

When the change comes into effect, more than half of UK vehicles will pay less. As increasing numbers of companies move to cleaner lorries, the UK haulage industry overall will pay less.